Recap: Caps 4, Oilers 2
by David Getz on Dec 20, 2009 1:42 AM EST
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Having the best hockey player in the world on your team is a wonderful thing. Frankly, the Capitals don't have much business heading back to D.C. with the two points they picked up in Edmonton tonight, no matter how good that third period was, and those two points are going to show up in the standings tomorrow because Alex Ovechkin stood up and carried the team on his back for the third period and a rookie goaltender kept the team in the game when the rest of the team wasn't doing much to help itself.
Still, you have to give credit where credit's due. The Caps could have easily gone in to the locker room at the second intermission, considered that they were on the last game of a Western Conference road trip and were down two goals and decided to mail it in for the third and get on their plane back to Washington (eventually). It might have taken Ovechkin to get things started, but the rest of the team followed, and that's a positive sign.
Ten additional thoughts on last night's game:
- Despite the win, the Capitals' powerplay went 0-for-4 for the second consecutive night and, as was the case in Friday night's loss, didn't put nearly as much pressure on the opposition as it should have. The biggest problem was simply too much standing around. A lot of the time all five guys looked like they were waiting on someone else to create a chance. It just doesn't work that way.
- Part of what's so great about Karl Alzner's game is the fact that he not only does everything so well, but he's under control at all times. One of the ways that manifests itself is in shot attempts. Rather than trying to blast away with a ceiling-scraping slap shot, Alzner just concentrates on getting the puck to the net. It might not mean as many goals for him, but it almost certainly means more goals for the Capitals because it makes the opposing goalie work and it creates chances in front of the net.
- For a team at the end of a road trip that covered a pretty fair amount of distance and undoubtedly tired after having played the night before, the Capitals were remarkably disciplined, taking only two minor penalties.
- There were six Capitals on the ice for the Oiler's first goal and exactly one of them, Michal Neuvirth, did their job on the play. Between the turnover by Jeff Schultz and the lackadaisical backchecking of Alex Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, and Mike Green it's impressive Neuvirth stopped the first shot, let alone the second one. Hell, he deserves credit for even coming close on the rebound.
- I'm pretty sure the delay of game penalty called on Tom Glibert was a lucky break for the Capitals. I'm more sure I'd know whether the delay of game penalty called on Tom Glibert was a lucky break for the Capitals if the game had been broadcast in HD. Just sayin'.
- Question of the night: was Jeff Deslauriers' glove hand in the game's first two periods the result of some kind of dark magic or was it simply that the Capitals' shooters simply couldn't resist their primal urge to shoot at the big, fiercely orange target?
- Speaking of Deslauriers he seemed to be getting awfully upset about the contact the Capitals were making with him, which makes me wonder why he didn't tell his defensemen to stop pushing Washington players into him.
- Obviously this is a Cap-centric blog, but great effort deserves to be recognized no matter who's wearing the uniform. With that in mind, the way Steve Staios repeatedly threw himself in front of Alex Ovechkin slap shots deserves praise from anyone who loves hockey.
- No Capitals player finished with a minus rating on the night.
- Early in the second period I became exasperated with Comcast Sportsnet when they missed a faceoff because they were talking about the Caps' upcoming schedule and decided to keep track of how many they missed the rest of the night. I stopped keeping track at a dozen (this was also more or less when the game started to get really interesting) but that's way, way too many. Especially when you're missing draws to show Hilary Duff sitting in the stands or to do a close up of Jeff Deslauriers' face.
Joe Beninanti and Craig Laughlin noted on the telecast that Pat Quinn had referred to Ovechkin as "a gift" to the game of hockey. I don't think anyone in Edmonton's going to be disputing that any time soon.
Game highlights:
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I’m digging the screen grabs. Your photobucket account must be stocked.
"So much on my mind I just can't recline. Blastin' holes in the night 'til she bled sunshine."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Dec 20, 2009 2:08 AM EST up reply actions
It’s only historic if the end is worth it.
"After the Cold War, the AK-47 became Russia's biggest export. After that came vodka, caviar, and suicidal novelists (and a couple good hockey players)."
by Bald Pollack on Dec 20, 2009 9:25 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Yes and no. Last night this team became the fastest in Caps’ history to reach 50 points, so they are making history.
But if they don’t reach the ultimate goal, the historic milestones along the way will have been meaningless. I think someone might have some pithy statement that sums it up…
"Camaraderie, that's what the Washington Capitals are all about."
by CapitalCentre on Dec 20, 2009 11:15 AM EST up reply actions
Neuvy really deserved to be recognized for his outstanding game.
Fun fact: A popular opinion can still be stupid.
I love Staios’ stat line. 0 goals, 0 assists, 2 +/. He had the kind of game you had to see in order to appreciate.
"So much on my mind I just can't recline. Blastin' holes in the night 'til she bled sunshine."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Dec 20, 2009 2:00 AM EST up reply actions
Not sure what happened with the strikethrough there. Should read “negative two plus minus”
"So much on my mind I just can't recline. Blastin' holes in the night 'til she bled sunshine."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Dec 20, 2009 2:01 AM EST up reply actions
That’s what I figured. Should have used the preview button.
"So much on my mind I just can't recline. Blastin' holes in the night 'til she bled sunshine."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Dec 20, 2009 2:02 AM EST up reply actions
That’s another beer.
In an ideal world all ten fingers would be on my left hand so my right hand could just be a fist for punching.
Hell no. That wasn’t a direct offense to you. Besides, I’m usually pretty good about preview button use.
"So much on my mind I just can't recline. Blastin' holes in the night 'til she bled sunshine."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Dec 20, 2009 2:05 AM EST up reply actions
“s sfsdfsdfsfd”s
Rocking the Red since 1975
by CapsFan75 on Dec 20, 2009 10:15 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Good take DMG. Staios has serious balls. If the Caps could pry him away from EDM I wouldn’t complain (barring a ridiculous overpayment, of course).
Re: Deslauries’ glove, I think the Caps were hitting his glove a lot and he did his best to make those saves look puuuuurrty. AO does not like that behavior. Ask Nabokov.
Speaking of Deslauriers he seemed to be getting awfully upset about the contact the Capitals were making with him, which makes me wonder why he didn’t tell his defensemen to stop pushing Washington players into him.
CREASE CLEARING RAAAAAAAAWWWRRRRRR.
Glad to see Alzner got some good ice, and the D TOI looked pretty balanced in general.
12 missed face offs!?! WTF? That is absolutely inexcusable. It’s also a giant pain when you are trying to fast forward between stoppages during a DVR’d game.
In an ideal world all ten fingers would be on my left hand so my right hand could just be a fist for punching.
agreed on the Staios pickup
I lived with a blind guy for a while, then he figured it out and demanded back rent.
by Rather Bengt on Dec 20, 2009 2:00 AM EST up reply actions
Staios has serious balls. If the Caps could pry him away from EDM I wouldn’t complain (barring a ridiculous overpayment, of course).
Nor would I. I’ve been high on the guy personally. I figure he must be good since Don Waddell let him go for nothing.
by David Getz on Dec 20, 2009 2:01 AM EST up reply actions 3 recs
Now I have this mental image of some guy with whoopee balls or trick balls or bozo balls. I mean, if there are serious balls, there must be some less serious of the variety out there.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Dec 20, 2009 11:30 AM EST up reply actions
I long for the day when our defensemen don’t put the puck in their own net.
http://dclandingstrip.com/
Yea, it’s sort of becoming a trend, huh?
by Knubles and Bits on Dec 20, 2009 2:12 AM EST up reply actions
So, uh, I don’t read Copper & Blue enough to know if he’s joking or not, but, um, someone has his panties all in a bunch.
in protest against the media fellatio given to Washington’s overhyped mentally addled Pavel Bure clone on his recent swing through western Canada, the guy who wears #8 for the Capitals shall not be referred to beyond this introductory paragraph. Yes I know he scored two of Washington’s four goals
Fun fact: A popular opinion can still be stupid.
but I will admit the the scouting report from the preview is money.
It’s not like you need me to tell you this but the Washington Capitals are a fantastic hockey team. They have the most exciting player in the game. They play in a division that doesn’t have a lot of good teams or teams that play a really physical style (though Henrik Zetterberg might disagree). Pretty much every player on the team can skate well and they almost all have good size to boot. The club has a plethora of support players who can play hockey and don’t have any major concerns with regard to the cap. I think everybody except for Rod Brind’Amour picked them to finish first in the Southeast division this season and everyone except for Rod Brind’Amour has been correct. It’s been a tough year for Rod.
Fun fact: A popular opinion can still be stupid.
To quote the great Chuck D, “haters taught hate that’s why we gang bang it.” Joking or not, it’s not worth getting upset over IMO.
"So much on my mind I just can't recline. Blastin' holes in the night 'til she bled sunshine."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Dec 20, 2009 2:26 AM EST up reply actions
It’s not really a lively community over there. About 70 comments in a GDT, most other posts don’t even get 10. Maybe they’re just trying to draw traffic to the site.
by Gin and Tonic on Dec 20, 2009 2:24 AM EST up reply actions
70?!?!? We do approximately 70 every 5 minutes.
by Knubles and Bits on Dec 20, 2009 2:26 AM EST up reply actions
Not uncommon among other SBN hockey blogs. We here at Japers’ (and at PPP) are lucky. It’s ironic because the commenting system alone is worth reading SBN blogs for.
"So much on my mind I just can't recline. Blastin' holes in the night 'til she bled sunshine."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Dec 20, 2009 2:29 AM EST up reply actions
The rest of their recap is epic, however. Worth a read.
When the Capitals finally ploughed their way back into the game, it was with all the joie de vivre of a military execution. The media has a need, sometimes, to make athletes look like Kids Out There, to see in those unrelatable millionaires shadows of the daydreaming child playing shinny on the pond. Well, the only joy the Capitals were taking from their grim work was the satisfaction of a butcher’s job well done. When they dispatched the Oilers, they didn’t even have the chivalry to offer us a blindfold and cigarette.
You guys are hell to root against.
The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
Broad Street Hockey.
And Alexander Ovechkin. For the next eleven years.
If the spiked punch isn’t intoxicating enough.
ALEX, FЯEE
by EmilyB on Dec 20, 2009 3:23 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
we do a good job of it ourselves at times in the forum
I lived with a blind guy for a while, then he figured it out and demanded back rent.
by Rather Bengt on Dec 20, 2009 2:21 AM EST up reply actions
Its harder to root against the Caps then it is to root for the Flyers.
by Knubles and Bits on Dec 20, 2009 2:22 AM EST up reply actions
I missed the first 2 periods, were they as lackluster as it seems?
They seemed to have a lot of energy in the 3rd( 5-on3 fail not withstanding).
If you don't wanna get hit, KEEP YOUR HEAD UP!
Yea,
It was pretty pathetic through 40.
by Knubles and Bits on Dec 20, 2009 2:28 AM EST up reply actions
I thought the first period was pretty energetic. It just looked like it was gonna be one of those nights where the Caps make an average goalie look like a Hasek-Roy-Brodeur lovechild.
What's ya major, dude?
In Caps terminology, the word you are looking for is Vesacity.
I lived with a blind guy for a while, then he figured it out and demanded back rent.
by Rather Bengt on Dec 20, 2009 2:47 AM EST up reply actions
which is kind of funny, since Down Goes Brown is convinced that the Toskala plays like crap when facing the Caps. (make sure you scroll down)
Fun fact: A popular opinion can still be stupid.
Glad I jumped in at the right time,then.
I know all about the second of a back to back and travel and all that but this " not playing a full 60 minutes " crap got worn thin a long time ago.
Loved watching the comeback, though.
AO’s 2nd was a pure goalscorers goal. Very Bradley- like.
If you don't wanna get hit, KEEP YOUR HEAD UP!
No team can really complain about the schedule this month. It sucks for everyone.
by Knubles and Bits on Dec 20, 2009 2:52 AM EST up reply actions
yeah but....
11 of 14 on the road is brutal. I’ll take 9-3-2 in that stretch any time.
by capsfansteve on Dec 20, 2009 6:12 AM EST up reply actions
Ha. Found it. Or at leats part of it. Please go see this outstanding post-game HNIC interview with Coach, and a cameo by #7 of the Hyannis Port Presidents:
ALEX, FЯEE
something something something…alex is “the leader” of this team…something something something.
by Natty Bumppo on Dec 20, 2009 12:07 PM EST up reply actions
that women in red sweater behind Ovie
Why press failed to mention that Sarah Pailin was attending the game and rooting for Caps? Just kidding.
Am I the one who has such illusion?
Perfer et obdura; dolor hic tibi proderit olim.
And the hard hat goes to...
Yep. I didn’t realize this was the first time all year he’s been awarded the thing!
Awesome use of the HNIC towel. Alex always makes sure the sponsor gets their money’s worth.
Oh, and the finest coverage of the game is available at this video. From Brooksie’s awesome opening faceoff win to a proper appreciation of Steve Staios’ sacrifice.
All I want for Christmas is Hockey Night in Canada, after hours.
ALEX, FЯEE
I would have given the hardhat to Neuvy…. he was the only reason the Caps had only 2 goals to overcome
by SeattleCapsFan on Dec 20, 2009 9:31 AM EST up reply actions
I gotta agree. Neuvy kept them in that game when his teammates looked like they were already mentally back in DC.
A man gotta have a code
True. On the one hand, yes, it’s surprising that Ovechkin hadn’t gotten it before, but on the other hand, it’s not for the guy who gets the most points in a game, so it’s understandable.
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
I’m pretty sure most HNIC interviewees have that towel, I don’t think Ovie is being a corporate whore by wearing it.
"My face is my mask."
by Jake Shapiro on Dec 20, 2009 12:10 PM EST up reply actions
No mention of the 3rd period comeback? Glad to see we’re on the right side of the comeback this time around……….
Rock the Red! Rock the White! Rock the Blue! Rock the Pens!
by RedskinFan4Life on Dec 20, 2009 9:08 AM EST reply actions
CSN missing faceoffs
I have to say this has become a huge issue this year. I can’t remember exactly which games, but there have been more than a handful where it has been extremely frustrating.
Missing one every now and then – understandable. Missing over half in a period – inexcusable.
I wanted to comment on that and I’m glad DMG said something. As a person with a degree in broadcast journalism, there is no excuse. The director needs to be executing the phrase “take camera X” a lot sooner than he/she is currently doing.
I know live sports is tricky, but here’s a secret: if they’re playing on the ice, your feed should be showing it. I understand a bump shot of Hilary Duff during no play, but if you’re not paying enough attention to the game to know that the puck is back in play then you don’t deserve your job.
Oh snap!
After the game, @cmasisak22 tweeted:
Boudreau: Instead of saying, ’Oh, woe is me. Why is the coach yelling at me?’ [Ovechkin] took up the challenge and said, ’I’ll show you.’ "
Same can’t be said for the other Russian flanking Nicklas Backstrom. Hope 8 and 19 tell him about the great trip to Edmonton they had.
Alex Ovechkin: Converting Cougars Since 2005
"Let the rest be scared of us." - Emo Bunny Sasha Semin
by Scott in Shaw on Dec 20, 2009 10:25 AM EST up reply actions 4 recs
How did you notice that! Rec’d!
"My face is my mask."
by Jake Shapiro on Dec 20, 2009 12:10 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t know if conflicted is the word. I’d venture there are fans in every NHL city that list the Caps as their second favorite team. Not only that, but whenever Ovechkin has the puck, in DC and away from DC, there’s a noticeable electricity in the air whenever he touches the puck.
But there are plenty of people who hate Ovie too. I feel like most hockey fans either love him or hate him, and there’s virtually no indifference.
"My face is my mask."
by Jake Shapiro on Dec 20, 2009 2:09 PM EST up reply actions
The first two frames were absolutely maddening to watch. The third … Ovi came out riding a steamroller and the rest of the team tagged along, and that’s all there is to it.
Frankly, Ovi’s been pretty quiet on the scoresheet the last handful of games, and when he busts out of a slump, he generally does it in style, and this time is no exception. I’m glad he led this one for that alone. Plus, that’s what the great players do – they come out swinging and they lead their teams from the front. I’ve come to expect that from Ovi when the team is down. So, I’m not upset that it happened – I’ll take a win whichever way.
Like capsfansteve said, 11 of 14 on the road is a brutal, brutal schedule. I can’t rightly complain about a 9-3-2 result.
Unleash the Alex!
Notes from my Couch ( a bit late, spent all Sat/Sun shoveling my plowed in cars)
-Many nights when watching a game, seeing the Caps down 2-0, I typically get a sense that they have the get-up-and-go to make it a game. I didn’t get that feeling Sat night. So much for feelings.
-Has anybody ever seen a team so pitiful at 5-on-3 as this squad? It hasn’t just been this season, either. The past 3 years, I’d love to see where the Caps rank at 5 on 3, unfortunately, the way those chances are recorded can make the data a bit hard to come by. For my liking, too many shots from the point, not enough cross-crease action that I see from teams that are more successful 5 on 3.
-Can’t really say the caps played a poor defensive game, minus Schultz’s pass…
Don’t really have much more to say other than great road trip for the team and here’s to keeping some momentum for Wed. We’re going to need some good PP work to beat our next two opponents.
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